Tractor



Aug. 5. 1924. y 1,503,658

` w. w. MacDoNALD l TRAG'IY'YOR Y Filed June 23. 1920 s sheets-sheet 5 y @ZM His y `Patented ug. 5, 1924.

WILLIAM W. nxenoivfinnbr SAN-FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA..

. TRACTOR.

Appiicatipafiied June as.'

To all (whom it may concern:

. *Be it known that 1, VViLLiAii/'r W.- MACDON- giiijn, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and countyof San Francisco and State of California, have invented a new and useful improvement in Tractors, of

which tliefollowing is a specification.

, iliis invention relatesto a tractor and especiallyV to that type of tractor in which Athe front wheels are employed both forxdriving vand Vsteering purposes.v

`One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a tractor of the character described in which the engine, transmission,

, and other vparts of the driving mechanism may be conipactly arranged in a closely as senibled unit, and so' 'supported with relation to the driving wheels that roadsliocks andengine torque may be readily absorbed by interposed resilient `supporting members as will hereinafterbe described.

Another object of the invention is to provide ainain frame, an axle for the support thereof a rockerbearin for the axle s rin s @between the axle andtherocker bearing'to permit lateral movement of the axleV with relation to the frame, 4and further to provide an engine frame and aresilient sup# port between said frame and the main frame.

vanother object of ltheinifentinfis to arrange the drivingmechanism in such a manner that the engine, transmission and the `jackshaft will be supported'by theengine ,fra-ine; further to provide a pair of driving shafts through'which power is transmitted to the driving wheels,and to so mount said isliafts that they will be supported by the main axle and at a point considerably above .the same. a

Another object of the invention is to provide a chain drive connection between the jack `shaft and the respective drivingshafts,

and' to mount a universal joint on each `drivingr shaft to permit the front wheelsto serve both for steering and driving. purposes.

Other objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction, combination and arrangelment of parts as hereinafter more fully described aiid. claimed,.-liaving reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the tractor partly in section.

-Fig 2 is a partial plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is afront view. Y

Referring to the drawings in detail, A iniezo. serial no. seines.

dicates a Vmain frame `and`- 2 `a sub-frame. This 'frame will hereinafter betermed the engine frame 4asit siipportsthe engine,the

vtransmission 3 and the jack shaft 1. -Tlie engine frame is resiliently `mounted with andv positioned below-the same is a rigid axle l Secured to the main 4frame and centrally positioned with relation thereto is a rocker bearing 9 and interposed between the rocker bearing and the axle B is a pair of semi-elliptical springs 10 which serve as 'a resilient'support for the Vmain frame with relation to the axle and also permits a vertical lateral rocking movement ofthe axle and a limited turning movement. lSecured adjacent each end of the axle is a Vbearing member 11 and extending through each bearing member in parallelism with the main frame is a pin 12. TheseJ pins serve as pivotal siipports for shackle links 13, and the free ends of the semi-elliptical springs 10 are attached the-reto. There are a' pair of springs, onedisposed on each side of the axle and positioned parallel therewith. The center portion of each spring is secured to a spring clamp 14 and a pin 15 extends through said spring clamps andthe rocker bearing 9. This pin permits lateral rocking movement of the axle as it is disposed at right angles thereto. Pivotally mounted on each end of the main axle isa steering knuckle 16, and supported thereby is a bearing plate 17 which also serves as a Vdust guard for each driving wheel indicated at 18. The wheels are `eaclijouriialled 'on' a spindle 19 carried bythe respectiveknuckles and they may therefore servev the function of steering wheels. One of the knuckles is provided with a steering arm 20, which is connected with an operating lever A21, of a hydraulic steering mechanism, generally indicated at 22, the lever'21 being connected with the steering arm by a link 23. The

steering knuckles vare otherwise provided tion between said shafts and the respective driving pinions27 are universal joints 31. Secured onjtlie inner end of each driving Ashaft is a sprocket .gear 32, and secured on Leach en d of the jack shaft 4 is a similar sprocket gear 33, and connecting the respective 'sprocket gears 32 and 33 are chains 34, by which power is transmitted `to the drivingshafts 30.

One of the important features of thepresent invention is the provision of means for Yabsorbing all engine torque and road shocks.

This is accomplished first by interposing cantilever springs between the engine frame Y andthe main frame, and secondlyby interposing ythe semi-elliptical springs between Vthe main vframeand the axle. Two separate resilient supports are in this manner interposed between the driving wheels and the driving mechanism, and practically all road shocks and engine torque are absorbed by the same, thus relieving the drivingv mechanism of eXcess strains and shocks when in Voperation and consequently prolonging the life and wearing qualities of the tractor as a whole.

To clearly explain the manner in which the engine torque and road shocks are absorbed, we will suppose that one or both of thev driving wheels enter a chuck hole or encounter some obstruction which tends to resist rotary movement thereof. Such resistance against rotation would of course be imposed upon the sprocket chains v34 and ',as. these travel in thel direction indicated iyarrow a (see Fig. l), it is obvious that aheavy pull will be exerted upon the jack kshaft and this in a downward direction as indicated by arrow Z). Such downward pull will of course be absorbed by Vthe rear cantilever springs interposed between the main vframe and the engine frame, and the shock or. resistance through the driving mechanism i will to that extent be absorbed or at least Vconsiderably cushioned; slacking of lthe `cha-ms during such movement being prevented by the interposition of radius rods as indicated at 40. These rods are pivotally attached to the jack shaft as indicated at 41, and at their opposite ends they are also pivotally attached to the bearing members il as indicated at 42, a universal connection being here formed to permit lateral rocking movement ofthe main axle when the Vtractor is in operation.` Engine-torque,

road shocks, or resistance 'to which the drivi ing mechanism may be subjected 'is also Vpartly absorbed by thewmainv supporting springs l0 interposed between the main frame and the axle. This takes place due to the fact that the springs are arranged in parallelism with the axle and may therefore be subjected to compression or eXtensionindependent of each other; Such movement permits a slight turning'lmovement "of the'- axle about its longitudinalaxis and to thise'xtent will assistin' absorbing excess Vshocks and strains such as heretofore mentioned. Engine wear-andtear should therefore be reduced to a minimum, due to the cushioning Vor shock absorbing means provided, to-wit, first,the main supporting springs, and secondly the cantilever springs interposed between'the main frameV and the engine frame. Tear in the transmission hydraulic steering mechanismV as heretofore stated, which will form the subject of a separate'application. This steering mechanism is generally indicated at 22. It actuates an operating lever 2l and movement is transmitted from this vlever through `a link 23 to one of the steering knuckles, Vmovement being in turn transmitted from said steering knuckle to the opposite steering knuckle by means of the tie rod 25. It

' is therefore possible to drivev and steer by means of the front wheels as universal joints 3l are interposed between the driving shafts 30 and the driving piiiions 27. VThese knuckles only swing'on a horizontal'plane when the wheels are turned and are not subject to any other movement asV lateral rocking movement of the axle will also cause lateral rocking movement of the driving shafts 30, dueto the fact that they are sup` ported by the axle through the medium of the bearing'niembers 11, the wheels 18a-ndV the bearing members 28. Resistance when.

steering is thereforelowered `to aminimum and general eiiiciency is VVobtained.when-allaround service is considered, due to, the i fact that the entire unit is compactly arranged and closely assembled,VV this feature being of further importanceas it permits V'and the remainder of the driving me-cha- 'nism will of course be similarly lessened.

The present' tractor is equippedV with the Y iria close assembling of bearinglsliafts, etc., and

to vthis extenteliminates unnecessary friction, due to twisting of the frames, disalignment of shafts, etc. ,Y

While certain features of the present invention are more or less specifically illustrated, I wish it understood that various changes in form and proportion may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims, similarly that the materials andfinish of the several parts employed may be` such as the experience and judgment Vof the 'manufacturer may dictate-for "varying uses 'may demand. A Y

lHaving thus described my invention-,what 'Inlaim and desire lto secure by LettersPat- "ent is- Y A v I41. Ina tractor `of the -characterjdescribed a main frame, an axle supporting thesame, .a steering knuckle on each end of the axle, "a traction ywheel on each knuckle, springs arallel with `the axle and supporting the frame with relation tothe axle, said springs j}` ernf1itting lateral-rocking movement of Vthe "axlewith, relation to the Ania-in frame, and -"also permitting a slight turning movement 'of' the axlewit'h relationto the main frame, an internal gear on each wheel, a horizontal '.jbearing on each knuckle, a vshaft in each bearing, a pinion oneachlshaft and inter- *ineshing with the adjacent internal gear, a horizontal bearing' adjacent each end of the axle and positioned above the same, a shaft journalled in each of said bearings, means "for'driving'each of `saids'hafts, and a universal driving connection between each of said'shafts and Vthe `shaft carried by the knuckles. Y

f 2.*.In a'tractor kofthe character described amain'frame, an axlesupporting the same, ldriving wheels on the axle, springs parallel v4with'the axle and supporting the frame with relation to the axle, said springs permitting lateral rocking movement of` 'the l axle with `relation to the frame and alsojpermitting ai slight .turning movement of .the Vaxlewith relation to the frame, anda driving connection for each wheel, said driving connection comprising a pair of bearings elevated with relation to the axle andzsecured thereto, a driving shaft journaled in each bearing, said driving shafts adapted to transmita slight turning movement to the axle, which turning movement is resisted and cushioned by the springs, and a driving connection between each shaft and wheel. l

3. In a tractor of the character described a` main frame, an axle supporting the-same, driving wheels on the axle, springs parallel with the axle and supporting the frameV with relation to the axle, said springs permitting lateral rocking movement of the axle with relation to the main frame and also permitting a slight turning movement of the axle with relation to the main frame, a jack shaft, a resilient support permitting radial movement of the jack shaft at right angles to its longitudinal axis, a driving shaftjourna-lled on each end of the axle, and mounted above the same, a driving connection between each of said shafts and the jack shaft,

I a` pair of radius rods interposed between said shafts and the jack shaft, said rods being universally connected at their respective ends, and a universal driving connection between each driving shaft carried by the axle und the driving wheels.

4. ln a tractorv of the character vdescribed a mam frame,a super-frameabove the same,

springs interposed between each end of the super-frame and the` main frame, means connecting the super-frame and the springs to permit vertical movement and a limited fore and aft movement of the super-frame with relation to the main frame, an axle, a pair of springs interposed between the axle and the main frame, said springs permitting fore and aft tilting movement and lateral movement of the main frame with relation to the axle, traction wheels, one on each end of the axle, a power plant and transmission mechanism Vcarried by the super-frame, a driving connection between the transmission mechanism and cach traction wheel, and a pair of radius rods interposed between the transmission mechanism and the axle, said radius rods being universally connected at their lower ends with the axle and universally connected at their upper ends with relation to the transmission mechanism, and said radius rods maintaining a fixed relation between the transmission mechanism and the axle.

5. A tractor Aofthe `character described comp 1ising a main frame, an axle supporting said main frame, a pair of springs interposed between the main frame and the axle and disposed in parallelism with the axle, one on each side thereof, said springs perknitting lateral movement of the axle with relation to the main frame and a slight turninginovement of the axle with relation to` "the main frame, steering'lmuclile on each end of the axle, a traction wheel'on each knuckle, a super-frame disposedabove the main frame, springs interposed between each end of the super-frame and the main frame, and permitting vertical and longitudinal movement of the super-frame with relation to the main frame, a power plant carried by the super-frame, a jack shaft carried by the super-frame and driven by the power plant, a driving shaft j ournalled on each end of the axle, a driving connection between each driving shaft and the jack shaft, a radius rod of fixed length interposed between each driving shaft and the jack shaft, each radius rod being universally connected at each end to the respective shafts and maintaining a fixed relation between the driving shafts and the jack shaft, and a universal driving connection between each driving shaft and each adjacent traction wheel.

6. In a tractor of the character described a main frame, an axle supporting the same, springs interposed between the axle and the main frame permitting lateral movement and turning movement of the axle with relation to the main frame, a traction wheel journalled on each end of the axle, a driving member journalled on each end of the axle and above the saine, a uiiiversal connection between each driving member` and traction wheel to transmit Vpower to eaoli t'action wheel, a super-'frame above tlie main frame, springsY supporting said super-frame land permitting vertical and longitudinal n'ioveii'ient ottiie super-traine witli relation to the ii'iain traine, a aelr sliait' supported by the super-trame, a motor and transmission on the saper-frame connected therewith radius rods eonneetiii' the driv i L? 1 i ing members carried the eine and trie Jael: shaft and mainttiming, a xed relation between the saine, and means lor transmit` ting power from the jacl: slia'lt to said drii'- ing members 7. in attractor of the cli-.iraeter described, a main trame, an axle supporting` the saine, said axle beingresiiieiitly conneeted to thiJ iii'ain frame so that a lateral rocking move` ment is permitted and similarly a slight turning movement about its longitudinal axis, a super-frame carried by tlie main` 'lrame and resilieiitly supported'V thereby, said super-'frame perii'iitting' a limited up and down movement and a limited endwise movement with relation to the main frame,

posed between the axle and the main frame permitting lateral and turning movement oi' the axle with relation to the mainframe, a

super-frame, resilient means interposedlbetween the supertrame and tlie mainframe,

said resilient means permitting' fa f*limited vertical and endwise movement'ioi' the` superfframe with Vrelation'. `to, the, main framepand rad-ins rods interposed between tl-ie axle Vand the super-frame.

9i ln a tractor of thecharaeter 'described,

ad, main traine, sriperfi-aine', resilient means interposed between. the siiperirame and the main traine permitting limited vertical andvendwise vmove-nient offone Vend of the siiper-tran'ieV with relation to*y tlie main frainmva jack Vshaftjouriialed on this end oi the super-frame, a drive shaft supported by the axle, ineaiisffo'r transmitting 'i power from the Vjackslia'ftltoV the:V drive sli-att, and a. radius rod interposed'between the iack shaft and the drive shaft. .Y

10.11'1 a tractor of Qth'e charaeterf de-i scribed, a inain frame, an axlegmeansinterposed between the axleand the main V :trame permitting a limited lateral movement, and

also a limited turning movementoi' the axle with relation to the main frame, a super-V frame, resilient A means Y .interposed between lthe"superiirameand*the miainmaxle, and a connection betweenthe axle and the superfranie' whereby -movementr of the c axle is transmitted Ato theV super-frame.

i ln testiin rny wher of I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.' Y K Y VIILLIAM. MACDONALD. Nitnessesz l.

' W. W.l HEALLY, 

